Stripping Dinky Toys Diecasts Advice Needed

[Belgian]

Recently acquired some battered Dinky Toys diecast vehicles who could use a repainting. Any pointers on a suitable and if possible non-hazardous paint remover? Have tried my paint remover for acrylic metal and plastic miniatures without result and also acetone also without much result. Pointers appreciated!  Thanks

Non-Branded Acetone - Not much result after days of soaking although it seems to soften the paint a bit so will wait.
St. Marc Paint Remover - Nothing after days of soaking. Doesn´t work on these diecasts but works to remove acrylic paint on metal miniatures.

[robh]

There are hundreds of videos on YouTube about renovating toy cars, I am sure they cover off all the various options you can try.
The prices some of the fully renovated rare models sell for is crazy.

[Burgundavia]

I've tried a bunch, but this stuff is what I use Dumond Smart Strip: https://dumondglobal.com/products/smart-strip-adv

[zemjw]

Caustic Soda works, although not sure about the safety aspects. Step by step pictures of someone using it - link

I have used stuff I got from a car shop, but can't remember its name

Oven cleaner used to work for me, but at some point the formula changed and it now just makes the paint shiny, but doesn't even dent the paint.

[has.been]

Vodkafan is my go to expert in this. He uses a dip of Detol.
Leave it in a non plastic container outside, as it stinks, for a
few days, then clean them up with old tooth brushes.

Important to remove the plastic & rubber pieces (windows & tyres etc.) before the dip.
Time left to soak varies. He has told me he has put two of the same models in on the same day,
only for one to be easy to clean after a day or so, while the other took days.

[Belgian]

Thanks everybody, I have been looking at videos and online but was looking for the best options as some methods are quite hazardous like caustic soda. Sometimes hard to find specific products as they vary worldwide and I´m EU based.

@has.been - any pointers on the exact type of dettol used?

[has.been]

@has.been - any pointers on the exact type of dettol used?

It is a readily available, in the UK at least, antiseptic liquid.
On the bottle it says, 'Choroxylenol 4.8% W/V'

It is concentrated, fine for use as a dip, but usually diluted for antiseptic use.

I hope that helps.

[FramFramson]

I've used acetone, but rubbing it on with a sodden q-tip rather than a soaking. Tedious business but it got the job done.

Acetone definitely wants a mask and well-ventilated area though, whoof!

[zemjw]

I switched from Dettol to Biostrip 20 due to the Dettol smell (mainly the fact it takes months to clear, even if the figure is immersed in flour for weeks)

Biostrip works fine with metals and enamel paints, but I don't know if it works with toy cars. However, if dettol works, I will give it a test, as there's nothing to lose...

[Wirelizard]

Pure acetone has worked nicely for me for stripping metal minis including toy cars for Gaslands. Locally we can get 100% acetone from most drug stores, but sometimes you have to look past the 30%/etc acetone fingernail polish remover to find it. Hardware stores around here also carry 100% acetone, usually cheaper and in larger sizes than the pharmacy.

Some of the toy car finishes take a day or four to really start coming off in the acetone, but even the really shiny metallic finishes eventually shift.

Do NOT put whole toy cars in it, it'll screw up the soft plastic interior fittings thoroughly. Hard plastic (slotta bases, etc) is usually OK but acrylic (plexiglass) basically turns into chewing gum.

[ARKOUDAKI]

@zemjw

I switched from Dettol to Biostrip 20 due to the Dettol smell (mainly the fact it takes months to clear, even if the figure is immersed in flour for weeks)

I agree, Dettol stinks but it does work. So never heard of the flour treatment...what does that do (obviously tries to reduce the smell). What about rice?

[von der Tann]

Acetone.

Take the diecast apart, and let the metal parts soak in acetone for half a day. You might have to clean it with an old brush/toothbrush as color might stick in hard to reach corners.
Just apply acetone to the brush and the paint will come off easily.
You also might want to do this outside and use something non-plastic (e.g., glass) as a container. Acetone will make plastic disappear in no time.
It is also awsome for stripping metal miniatures as it dissolves everything but the metal (paint, glue, green stuff, etc.)

[zemjw]

@zemjw

I agree, Dettol stinks but it does work. So never heard of the flour treatment...what does that do (obviously tries to reduce the smell). What about rice?

It was something I read a few years ago, possibly in this forum. However, going to check the source of that rumour only leads me to posts where I mentioned it, without quoting my sources

While searching, however, I found baking soda mentioned a few times, including board game geek and mumsnet , so that's probably worth investigating.

I think rice works more by absorbing moisture, but  it's not something I've ever tried.

The flour did mostly work, but I left the figures for months, so that probably contributed as well.

[zemjw]

Biostrip works fine with metals and enamel paints, but I don't know if it works with toy cars. However, if dettol works, I will give it a test, as there's nothing to lose...

I put a car in biostrip on Friday morning and removed it this morning. I am very happy to report that it removed 100% of the paint

Definitely worth a try, and a discovery that's going to restart some of my paused car repaints.

[Belgian]

It is a readily available, in the UK at least, antiseptic liquid.
On the bottle it says, 'Choroxylenol 4.8% W/V'

It is concentrated, fine for use as a dip, but usually diluted for antiseptic use.

I hope that helps.

Thanks will see if I can find this locally